AMC/Gene Page(NEW YORK) -- In 2010, AMC launched its wildly-popular TV adaptation of Robert Kirkman's 2003 graphic novel series The Walking Dead, which is about to enter its eighth season. The show's success still takes executive producer David Alpert by surprise, especially when he sees costumers and other fans at New York Comic Con, which is currently underway in the Big Apple.

"Honestly, the success of the show and the success of the brand is kind of overwhelming," Alpert tells ABC Radio. "We always knew that [Kirkman] created something really special, but you never know if people are going to respond to something you love."

"The fact that people embraced it the way they have...I saw a female [Walking Dead hero] Jesus, and [a] Negan, and they were making eyes at each other, like, mock threatening each other!" he adds. "And I was like, 'That's insane!' But kind of awesome at the same time."

Season 7 ended just as Jeffrey Dean Morgan's bat-wielding baddie Negan and his Saviors clan declared war on Andrew Lincoln's Rick Grimes and various factions who joined him. Walking Deadcreator Kirkman says fans of the show should buckle up for the next season.

"The end of season 7 was so huge, and our goal with season 8 is to make that look small in comparison," he tells ABC Radio. "We're been doing the All Out War storyline, we've been very public about that. We're going to do a very fast paced-season.

"It's gonna be a huge conflict," he adds. "And we're gonna hit the ground running, and do the most intense season of The Walking Dead we've done yet!"

The Walking Dead returns Sunday, October 22 at 9 p.m. Eastern time on AMC.